BASIC SPEC

STARTING PRICE

$128,090

BASIC SPEC

STARTING PRICE

$247,234

BASIC SPEC

Cheaper hybrids coming from BMW

02 Nov 2017Andrew Maclean

BMW is taking the zap out of paying a premium for its fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid models.

The German brand has already launched two petrol-electric models in the last 12 months that offer identical performance and specifications to mainstream variants in the 530e and X5 40e, and now looks set to discount two other existing hybrids, the 330e and 740e, to build a price parity policy across the range.

It's a move that BMW Australia's product planning manager, Brendan Michel, says makes sense for customers, attracting them to cleaner, more efficient technology in the absence of any financial incentives or other benefits offered by the federal government to encourage the take-up of alternative fuel options.

"It’s our plan to take price out of the equation for the customer. We’re here now with six electric vehicles launched in Australia – more than any other manufacturer at the moment – and our plan is to focus heavily on the future with electric mobility," Michel told Drive at the launch of the third-generation X3 SUV this week.

"Right now we have price parity on X5 40e and 530e against equivalent models in their respective ranges, and we’re investigating to carry that policy over to the rest of the family which means 3-Series, and bringing price parity of 330e against 330i, and also 7-Series with the 740e against 740i.

2017 BMW 530e. Photo: Supplied

"This is an initiative BMW has taken because there are no incentives from the government. Our cars still suffer from luxury car tax even though they are very green, there’s no GST benefits, or even incentives like express lane priorities.

"So this is our plan to hopefully give the government a bit of nudge and in the meantime ensure our customers are focused on it as well."

When BMW implements its policy, it will mean the 330e, which is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 65kW electric motor, will cost $3000 less than when it was launched, mirroring the petrol-only 330i at $69,990 (plus on-road costs). Similarly, the 740e plug-in hybrid limousine will be discounted by almost $5000 to match the 740i's price tag of $228,100 (plus on-road costs).

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BMW has more electric-powered models on the way too, including both plug-in hybrid and fully-electric variants of the all-new X3 SUV as well as the upcoming 8-Series family of luxury coupes and cabriolets and full-size X7 SUV plus all-new generations of the 3-Series and X5 within the next 18 months.